Whites boss Daniel Farke made three changes to his side for last weekend’s Friday night Yorkshire derby at Sheffield Wednesday as winger Willy Gnonto, Archie Gray and Junior Firpo all came back into the team. For what was United’s third game within a week, Sam Byram, Connor Roberts and Dan James all dropped to the bench.
Two of the players brought back into the side then weighed in with goal contributions as Firpo’s gem of a cross set up Bamford to put Leeds ahead on the stroke of half-time. Gnonto then bagged a second Whites goal after the break to seal a 2-0 victory, after which Leeds could look forward to eight days off.
Friday night’s win at Hillsborough put the Whites back into the division’s second automatic promotion spot and defeat for Ipswich Town at Cardiff City on Saturday lunchtime ensured Leeds stayed there. Leaders Leicester City were then held to a 2-2 draw at Hull City, leaving Leeds just three points behind the Foxes. With Leicester on FA Cup duty, the Whites know that a win by two clear goals against Millwall will take them top and this is the XI that we expect to line-up against the Lions.
7. CM: Glen Kamara
Gruev's current partner in the middle of the park and that looks set to continue despite the obvious alternative of bringing Gray into the midfield. Photo: Jess Hornby
8. LW: Crysencio Summerville
Not at his absolute best of late but always a huge threat and surely one of the first names on the team sheet out wide. But who starts on the other flank? Photo: Michael Regan
9. RW: Willy Gnonto
Surely one of the hardest calls - Gnonto or Dan James. Gnonto got the shout against Huddersfield before James came in against Stoke but Farke went back to Gnonto against Sheffield Wednesday. But the recent pattern of swapping between the two might now end with Gnonto keeping his place in the XI. After a frustrating first half at Hillsborough, the Italian made a huge impact after the break, scoring United's second goal and on that basis might get the nod, despite James' own impressive returns this season on the end product front. Photo: Michael Regan
10. ACM: Georginio Rutter
Another assist for the record signing in last weekend's win against the Owls via his pass for Gnonto's strike after superb hold up play from Patrick Bamford in the no 10 role. A front pair that looks a good fit. Photo: Matt McNulty
11. ST: Patrick Bamford
Mateo Joseph is clearly knocking on the door and Joel Piroe is the other obvious front line option but there cannot be much doubt that Bamford is the go to guy as the main no 9 at present. Seven goals from his last ten starts in addition to also netting off the bench against Leicester, not to mention his superb hold up play. Photo: Danny Lawson